Being a web and graphic designer as well as a fisherman have a lot of perks. In situations like one of my most recent projects, I’m glad to say that my three trades all go hand in hand together. It’s not every week this happens.

Back in February, while working for Heartland Outdoors Magazine and Sims Spinners at the Tinley Park Fishing Show, I was introduced to a small local Chicago tackle company per the recommendation of friend and personal fishing rod builder, Matt Coppolino (www.mccustomrods.com). Not knowing much about this small tackle company, other than its baits had a craving aroma, smelling of garlic-scented meats that came hot fresh off the grill, I was suggested to check them out on the web because they made great and unique products.

I made my Google search. . . . . . . and other than the products I saw, I was a little less than thrilled. Their website at the time of my initial visit was not the best and most professional for a company whose objective is to expand and improve its market. In my opinion, things had to change, and I would eventually become their guy to do it.

An e-mail inquiry and proposal was sent, and within a few short weeks, a brand new website and e-commerce shop was developed for this growing Chicagoland tackle company – http://www.draginbaits.com

However, websites and graphics weren’t the only services I was going to offer.

I fish, I write, and I promote the folks whom I work with and for. Following the new site completion, I wasn’t going to stop just there. I was going to do more. How about going to work and catching some fish!

Ladies and gentlemen, the fun starts now.

Introducing Dragin Bait Company

Established in 2011, and based in Forest Park, IL, Dragin Bait Company strives to create the best quality soft plastic baits at an affordable price for all fishermen. Owned and operated by Andrew Theisse, Dragin Baits are 100% custom creations from bait design and molds, to plastic formula and injections. Their plastic baits feature a special additive which keeps the texture supple, yet retains unbelievable hooking ability and strength. The scientific formula applied on and injected into every bait, is proven to catch more fish than most standard industry plastics. Because of this, Theisse guarantees that his baits should always be your first choice.

The products have been field tested and  rivers, inland lakes, and reservoirs. These baits cater to anglers of all skill levels, and has recently found a huge niche within the IHSA Bass Fishing and it’s participating high school students. In addition, their growing professional staff membership is comprised of average fishermen and tournament professionals who demand the best in quality and color patterns.

Based only on sense of smell, Dragin Baits makes one of the most powerfully scented soft plastics for bass fishing that I have ever taken a sniff of. Thankfully it’s not crack for humans, but it will be crack for bass. And besides soft plastics, they have their own line of high quality hard jerk baits and surface frogs. Not to mention, they are also one of the largest distributors of AIRrus fishing rods.

With the new website having been developed to offer user-friendly reading and online purchasing, Dragin Bait Company urges you to visit them frequently at www.draginbaits.com, as they are frequently adding new products and color schemes.

Throughout the 2012 season, I will be promoting Dragin Bait Company through my writings, videos, websites, and all other fishing ventures and exploits. I’ll try not to turn into a human infomercial, but I won’t be ramming it down your throats.

Some of the products I am looking forward to using this year are the following:

Brush hawg and creature style baits are one of my absolute favorites when it comes to largemouth bass. I don’t have much patience when it comes to fishing at a slow pace (as I am a power fisher, always on the move, and one who covers a lot of water), but there is something to be said about a lure category that has caught some of my largest bass ever. These 4 inch baits will be seeing a lot of use this year for fishing the wood, pitching and flipping, swimming the grass, skipping the docks, and even perhaps while fished on a jig for rock oriented smallmouths.

I never grow tired of fishing with tube jigs. . . . . Do you? Unlike most traditional tubes, which are hollow and allow for jig inserts, the diablo tube features a solid plastic construction to offer fast sink rates, and to get down deep into the lairs of where big fish live. In addition, it features a unique tentacle style which enables the tail segment to float and flutter while the bait bounces and scurries along the bottom. I have a feeling this 3.5 inch bait will be a major player for smallmouths on lakes and rivers. According to Andrew Theisse, who often fishes the downtown Chicago lakefront for bass, the Diablo Tube is his favorite for the Lake Michigan smallmouths.

Of all plastics I use for river fishing, the skirted grub style (aka – hula grub) is one of my all time favorites. For some reason, these wild alien looking creatures catch some of the biggest bass around. Is it because these resemble crayfish on steroids? Or is it because the ugliness of these baits pisses fish off so much that it triggers vicious strikes? I’m not exactly sure, but smallies everywhere I’ve fished find these lures irresistible. I can’t wait to give these a workout on my summer float trips down the Wisconsin River, and local wades on our Northern IL rivers.

I love fishing the slop and I love fishing with surface frogs. Besides topwater musky fishing, nothing is more exhilarating to me than witnessing a 5 pound bass unleash rage on the surface to destroy a surface frog. Like all surface frogs, the 1/2 ounce bruiser frog is meant to be fished in and around the slop and pads that largemouth bass use. Come June-July-August, these will be the first things I use for fishing the jungle.

If you are looking to expand your tackle selections this season, or interested in trying something new for your bass fishing whether it’s done on lakes, rivers, or ponds, be sure to give Dragin Baits a try. You won’t be disappointed, but you might be pleasantly surprised by how good of quality product this is for a small local Chicago tackle manufacturer.

Dragin Bait Company
P.O. Box 427 Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 257-9294
www.draginbaits.com
info@draginbaits.com

And as always, you can give my business and I a visit at www.ragasmedia.com, where I do websites, graphics, production, design, and a whole lot more for businesses big and small, and industries of all kinds.

Andrew Ragas
www.ragasfishing.com
twitter – @RagasMedia